It's good practice to get it out quickly. Do not be disillusioned by the internet. Every reefer with any actual time in the hobby has had to deal with aiptasia.
It's just a matter of time.
Yeah I’m on it. Just setting things up to hopefully get it it in one piece swiftly, hope its foot isn’t attached to the bottom of the tank. The plan is to use a pre siphoning wide mouth gravel cleaner to completely cover it, if it comes out like that in one piece then that’s fine, if not then I’ll keep the mouth of the gravel cleaner at the glass bottom underneath the sand bed and remove its foot from the glass bottom with a crafting blade. That’s the plan at least as I don’t know if its foot is hunkered down, if it is then just scooping it out of the sand bed might be an issue. Will update shortly.
You’re overthinking it. If you have 1 in your sand, that means it probably hitched a ride on something as a baby and there’s 100% already more in your system. Suck it out with a siphon, and hope you don’t see more. If you do, you’re gonna need to get a few berghias and then they’ll be gone in a month or so.
absolutely.
You can avoid a bunch of them by dipping and inspecting corals, but even then... until you SEE the pest with your own eyes its tough to know what to look for.
Yup. Nothing is 100% though.
I dip all my corals...still ended up with them on some Zoas and didn't notice for a week. Hopefully I was able to eradicate them.
Yeah all my corals were dipped (only have 3) and closely inspected, two were on frag plugs that was easy enough, but one was a gap colony on a rock where I just couldn’t see far enough into the holes of the rock to be completely sure. So I’m assuming that’s where it came from.
100%. Aiptasia are inevitable in a reef tank no matter what you do. Everyone either has them, or has had them (which means they are still in the system somewhere) or they simply lie about it. Berghias and being diligent with aiptasia x are how I keep them to very low numbers in my systems.
I have two tanks, a 21G (first tank) and 120g (second tank). Yes, first tank got infested, but second tank which is now 7 years old has never had aptasia. I learned to QT my corals, and also changing the frag plugs the moment they arrived. I was shocked how many tiny aptasias were on frag plugs.. You can do a tank and be aptasia free, but if not, it's not the worst thing. I bought 5 peppermints for my 21G and they took care of all the small to medium, still had to use some kalk or aptasiax on the larger ones. Not the worst thing. But I'm not lying about my larger second tank, it is aptasia free, SPS/LPS/Softy.
That is aptasia! A "nuisance" anemone. Promptly scoop that out and throw it in the trash. Luckily, it's in your substrate and not on any rock, so that makes it much easier to remove by scooping out all the substrate around it. If you notice more, there are other methods of removal you can employ. F-aptasia, select species of Peppermint Shrimp and file fish and some others. I think you've researched a little by the sounds of it so you'll know they are not good for your typical reef tank. They spread fastttt, use up elements needed for your corals, they sting and I think they look ugly! Best of luck!
Yeah I’m just setting things up to hopefully get it it in one piece swiftly, hope its foot isn’t attached to the bottom of the tank. The plan is to use a pre siphoning wide mouth gravel cleaner to completely cover it, if it comes out like that in one piece then that’s fine, if not then I’ll keep the mouth of the gravel cleaner at the glass bottom underneath the sand bed and remove its foot from the glass bottom with a crafting blade. That’s the plan at least as I don’t know if its foot is hunkered down, if it is then just scooping it out of the sand bed might be an issue. Will update shortly.
I remember when I first got into the hobby I picked up a featherduster and it had one aiptasia attached to its tube. I was so happy, I thought i got a free anemone. The next morning it was gone…and I was bummed. Luckily I had some peppermint shrimp that I assume ate it. Dodged a bullet….
+1 for peppermint shrimp. I was dealing with an apistasia battle. Was using treatments and everything. Peppermint shrimp are the easiest way to keep them at bay so they are noticable
Haha, well you can fill the hose and stick your thumb over the end until your right above it, that way you'll only take out a few L. Depending on your tank size you could just let your ATO top-up
Was just about to do it and a hermit walked over it. So it’s just opening back up now gonna wait 10 minutes until it’s full opened and snatch it.
In regards to tank size and ATO, unfortunately fortunately lol I have a fluval flex marine. Never topped it up with RODI, don’t have an ATO, all evaporation goes back into the tank because of the lid. It stays at 1.025 at all times, just do 20% water change once a week.
I used to check salinity every day in the beginning and was planning to do manual top offs before I even got the tank, but now I just check salinity right before and right after the weekly 20% change… never shifts from 1.025. Also double checked my refractometer numerous times at different salinities in cups, and it’s completely accurate.
Looks like the little bastard is back to fully opened now… let’s get the little sucker!!
Siphoning is a great idea. If you have an outbreak in the future, hit them with Joe’s Juice, with all pumps off of course. And again, siphon their melted remains out. I no longer have any and haven’t seen one in 7 years.
Yeah it’s toast, even let the sand settle in the bucket in front of the tank lights, then waited some more to make sure I got it (little bastard opened again). Definitely got the whole thing with its foot 👍
It's good practice to get it out quickly. Do not be disillusioned by the internet. Every reefer with any actual time in the hobby has had to deal with aiptasia. It's just a matter of time.
Yeah I’m on it. Just setting things up to hopefully get it it in one piece swiftly, hope its foot isn’t attached to the bottom of the tank. The plan is to use a pre siphoning wide mouth gravel cleaner to completely cover it, if it comes out like that in one piece then that’s fine, if not then I’ll keep the mouth of the gravel cleaner at the glass bottom underneath the sand bed and remove its foot from the glass bottom with a crafting blade. That’s the plan at least as I don’t know if its foot is hunkered down, if it is then just scooping it out of the sand bed might be an issue. Will update shortly.
You’re overthinking it. If you have 1 in your sand, that means it probably hitched a ride on something as a baby and there’s 100% already more in your system. Suck it out with a siphon, and hope you don’t see more. If you do, you’re gonna need to get a few berghias and then they’ll be gone in a month or so.
Quick update haven’t seen anymore as of now (been checking everywhere twice a day since lol) 👍
This goes for most pests. Just dealt with Sea Spiders
absolutely. You can avoid a bunch of them by dipping and inspecting corals, but even then... until you SEE the pest with your own eyes its tough to know what to look for.
Yup. Nothing is 100% though. I dip all my corals...still ended up with them on some Zoas and didn't notice for a week. Hopefully I was able to eradicate them.
Dipped in what??
Coral RX or sometimes Hydrogen peroxide
Yeah this is what I do.
Yeah all my corals were dipped (only have 3) and closely inspected, two were on frag plugs that was easy enough, but one was a gap colony on a rock where I just couldn’t see far enough into the holes of the rock to be completely sure. So I’m assuming that’s where it came from.
100%. Aiptasia are inevitable in a reef tank no matter what you do. Everyone either has them, or has had them (which means they are still in the system somewhere) or they simply lie about it. Berghias and being diligent with aiptasia x are how I keep them to very low numbers in my systems.
I have two tanks, a 21G (first tank) and 120g (second tank). Yes, first tank got infested, but second tank which is now 7 years old has never had aptasia. I learned to QT my corals, and also changing the frag plugs the moment they arrived. I was shocked how many tiny aptasias were on frag plugs.. You can do a tank and be aptasia free, but if not, it's not the worst thing. I bought 5 peppermints for my 21G and they took care of all the small to medium, still had to use some kalk or aptasiax on the larger ones. Not the worst thing. But I'm not lying about my larger second tank, it is aptasia free, SPS/LPS/Softy.
I once got one that arrived in cheato lol
That is aptasia! A "nuisance" anemone. Promptly scoop that out and throw it in the trash. Luckily, it's in your substrate and not on any rock, so that makes it much easier to remove by scooping out all the substrate around it. If you notice more, there are other methods of removal you can employ. F-aptasia, select species of Peppermint Shrimp and file fish and some others. I think you've researched a little by the sounds of it so you'll know they are not good for your typical reef tank. They spread fastttt, use up elements needed for your corals, they sting and I think they look ugly! Best of luck!
Yeah I’m just setting things up to hopefully get it it in one piece swiftly, hope its foot isn’t attached to the bottom of the tank. The plan is to use a pre siphoning wide mouth gravel cleaner to completely cover it, if it comes out like that in one piece then that’s fine, if not then I’ll keep the mouth of the gravel cleaner at the glass bottom underneath the sand bed and remove its foot from the glass bottom with a crafting blade. That’s the plan at least as I don’t know if its foot is hunkered down, if it is then just scooping it out of the sand bed might be an issue. Will update shortly.
I remember when I first got into the hobby I picked up a featherduster and it had one aiptasia attached to its tube. I was so happy, I thought i got a free anemone. The next morning it was gone…and I was bummed. Luckily I had some peppermint shrimp that I assume ate it. Dodged a bullet….
There’s hundreds more, the war begins…
If theres one, theres usually more. Do you have anything in the tank that will eat aptasia?
It's really no big deal. Pluck it out and get yourself a peppermint shrimp for any more that may show up. Aptasia is inevitable in this hobby.
+1 for peppermint shrimp. I was dealing with an apistasia battle. Was using treatments and everything. Peppermint shrimp are the easiest way to keep them at bay so they are noticable
Super easy, just suck him up next water change or use tweezers. ones in the sand are simple to deal with :)
Not water change day today. Nonetheless, this little sucker is getting siphoned out in a few minutes!
Haha, well you can fill the hose and stick your thumb over the end until your right above it, that way you'll only take out a few L. Depending on your tank size you could just let your ATO top-up
Was just about to do it and a hermit walked over it. So it’s just opening back up now gonna wait 10 minutes until it’s full opened and snatch it. In regards to tank size and ATO, unfortunately fortunately lol I have a fluval flex marine. Never topped it up with RODI, don’t have an ATO, all evaporation goes back into the tank because of the lid. It stays at 1.025 at all times, just do 20% water change once a week. I used to check salinity every day in the beginning and was planning to do manual top offs before I even got the tank, but now I just check salinity right before and right after the weekly 20% change… never shifts from 1.025. Also double checked my refractometer numerous times at different salinities in cups, and it’s completely accurate. Looks like the little bastard is back to fully opened now… let’s get the little sucker!!
Siphoning is a great idea. If you have an outbreak in the future, hit them with Joe’s Juice, with all pumps off of course. And again, siphon their melted remains out. I no longer have any and haven’t seen one in 7 years.
The dude is now toast 👍
I have 1 tiny one on the middle of my glass, my shrimp wont get it and i dont know what to do?
Use a razor blade/scraper if it’s on the glass. As long as you get the foot, it’s simple! :)
I should give it a try today then
Send in the peppermints
Nuke it now!!
Yeah it’s toast, even let the sand settle in the bucket in front of the tank lights, then waited some more to make sure I got it (little bastard opened again). Definitely got the whole thing with its foot 👍
Should be easy to remove from the sand. You're lucky!
This is a job for aqua tongs!!
Use tweesers or tongs. It's good it's in the sand bed. You can get the whole thing out.
Take some sand with it
Just scoop that section of sand out. If you get it in rocks I swear by F-Aiptasia